Rams have a lot on the line

The University of Regina Rams are spoiling for a fight, but they’re not focusing on being spoilers.

The Rams are to complete their 2015 Canada West football season today (7 p.m., Mosaic Stadium) against the Saskatchewan Huskies.

Regina, which at 0-7-0 already has been eliminated from playoff contention, has a chance to knock the Huskies (2-5-0) out of the playoff picture. But playing spoiler isn’t the Rams’ driving force.

“If we have to use that as our motivation, then we’re not growing like I want us to grow,” head coach Mike Gibson said.

“The motivation for us should be two-fold: We’re playing for our five fifth-year guys, but it’s also another opportunity to play – and it’s our last opportunity of the year.”

Five Rams (offensive linemen Keenan Carrier, Kyle Paterson and Aaron Picton, defensive lineman Tyler Perkins and kicker Andrew Fabian) are exhausting their CIS eligibility today and will be feted before the game.

That quintet is on the mind of cornerback Travoy Martinez, even though he’s only in his first season with the Rams.

“I’m looking forward to fighting for the fifth-year guys and sending them out in a good way,” he said.

But Martinez also may have some personal motivation.

The product of Dallas spent three seasons with the Huskies before leaving the program midway through the 2014 campaign after he and the coaches “didn’t see eye to eye on things.”

Martinez moved to the U of R, but he had to sit out the Rams’ first four games this season due to CIS transfer regulations. That meant he wasn’t eligible to play when Regina and the Huskies met Sept. 18 in Saskatoon.

He’s eligible now, though, and is eager to face his former mates.

“(Playing spoiler) is really not a motivator for me,” Martinez said. “At the end of the day, I’m just trying to get a win for this team.

“I’m definitely looking forward to beating them, I will say that. It’ll be a plus for us to beat them.”

This is the first time Gibson will lead his team against its provincial rival at Mosaic Stadium. For the Rams’ firstyear head coach, the fact that Saskatchewan is the opponent is more important than the fact that Regina can end the Huskies’ season.

“You try to beat your rival every time, so I would hope that, as a collective group, (the Rams) realize the motivation is already there,” Gibson said.

“They don’t need motivation to knock (the Huskies) out. Knocking them out is something that happens if we win. It’s a byproduct of all the other derivatives we’re trying to accomplish.”

Martinez has a lot of friends on the Huskies’ roster and he has been going back and forth with them on social media in advance of the game.

Other Rams also have acquaintances on the Saskatoon-based team, having played with or against their northern counterparts in high school, junior or university.

That also enters the equation for tonight’s game. “I know I have a lot of buddies on the other side; everyone does,” Rams tailback Atlee Simon said. “It’s cool to go up against your friends and your not-so-friends and see who’s better.

“We didn’t play our best the first time we played them (when the Huskies won 33-18), so I think we’re looking for a little redemption this time.”

The Rams also are playing for pride, eager to avoid the embarrassment of a winless season. The last time Regina went 0-8-0 in Canada West play was 2004.

“It’s definitely motivation for me to get out there and try to win a game,” Martinez said. “I feel like we deserve one. We’ve been in a lot of close matchups and it’s time for us to win one.”

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